so depending on which way the electorate goes, you're going to see the deficit reduced either by tax increases or public spending cuts or a bit of both. and i do think the intrenched positions you've had the last year and a half will in the send cause someone to blink, either the administration or congress because ultimately neither will want to push the u.s. into an unnecessary recession next year. the answer is, yes, i expect some compromise. may seem foolish given the behavior of washington in the last few quarters. but having said that, i do think you're going to see some compromise. and ultimately, although it has hurt the market, it won't be too much of a negative going into next year. >> some may argue the more important elections in the next few weeks are the spanish regional elections on the 21st, which may trigger or allow spain to then ask for a bailout. do you think that's the event to watch as opposed to -- earnings season is great, it's not going to be a headwind in your view. but do we really need spain to request a bailout in order for us -- the equity markets to move